After eight court proceedings held at the Malelane Periodical Court since July, suspended attorney Zietta Janse van Rensburg will have her day in court on February 17, 2025.

The hearing date for the fraud, forgery and uttering trial was set during her appearance on Monday in front of Magistrate Jacob Mamabolo, Lowvelder reports.

During her previous appearance on October 28, Janse van Rensburg was represented by Legal Aid’s Phumlani Ceko, who told the court they needed time to consider her application for Legal Aid assistance. In the meantime, Janse van Rensburg appointed Adv Hennie van Rensburg, and on Monday, the Legal Aid representative informed the court that she no longer needed their services.

Senior Public Prosecutor Tobie Steyn confirmed that he was already in communication with Janse van Rensburg’s advocate and that the hearing dates have been confirmed with all parties for February 17 and 19, 2025. Steyn requested the court to make the case a preference matter for the two days. He said a full set of the docket was provided to Adv Van Rensburg.

In reply to questions posed by Lowvelder, the Legal Practice Council (LPC) confirmed on Tuesday that the application by the Mpumalanga Legal Practice Council to have Janse van Rensburg struck off the roll is pending before the high court. A date needs to be set down. She was found guilty of misconduct by the LPC during disciplinary proceedings on August 12, and the sanction handed down was a recommendation to have her struck off the roll.

The LPC’s provincial director, Motlatso Mabudusha, said to the best of her knowledge, no appeal had been lodged against the findings of the disciplinary committee and/or the sanction imposed by it. “There is, furthermore, no appeal or petition against the order of the high court that I have been made aware of.”

Janse van Rensburg remains barred from practising as an attorney.

During the high court proceedings on November 17, where Janse van Rensburg brought an urgent application against Carte Blanche and Lowvelder to prevent the airing of a story about her, Adv Van Rensburg mentioned that Janse van Rensburg had laid a complaint at the Press Ombudsman against Lowvelder.

Lowvelder enquired from the South African Press Council if Janse van Rensburg did indeed lodge a complaint.

Public Advocate Fanie Groenewald confirmed he had received a complaint on May 26, but stated it was declined as there was no prima facie breach.

“The Lowvelder’s report was based on court papers and court proceedings. Ms Janse van Rensburg stated in the complaint inter alia that the blind judge should have recused himself and she also indicated in the Press Council’s questionnaire, regarding pending or contemplated legal proceedings, that she ‘reserved her right to seek compensation’. Acceptance of her complaint was declined.”